Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

"Yeah!" She grinned proudly, then held up the pendant around her neck with her right hand. "He carved this too."

"Fascinating." Gaius nodded in approval. "An excellent gift." His seemed cheap now, compared to a handmade pair of mementos.

(pfff Petrir out here a poor, dead weaver giving them both an inferiority complex)

"Thank you." Ky was bursting with pride now.

Zander smiled at it, pleased that she'd recovered quickly. Still. That didn't erase what he'd seen. What her gut reaction had been.

(Man's got skills, these two gents had low self esteem to begin with. What can I say?)

Gaius nodded slightly, glancing around at the others.
"Are you going to introduce me to the fellow back there?" Ana asked, pointing to Zander.

"Zander Medeiros, ma'am," Zander said with a smile, stepping forward to offer her a hand, then faltered, not sure if her hands were clean or not. Or, if they were, whether she'd want to have to wash them again after shaking his hand before she could go back to cooking. "Ky's uncle." He hesitated. "One of Ky's uncles," he corrected.

It was weird to hear him say it like that. It was weird to him, too, to put it like that. But if she was going to be in, she needed to be in. Which meant he needed to share.

Ana held up her hands, which were dirty with berry juice. "Forgive me if I don't shake your hand. But it's wonderful to meet you! When did you arrive?"

"Of course." Zander nodded, taking a step to the side so he wasn't awkwardly in front of people anymore. "It's nice to meet you as well! I got here just a little while ago."

"Ah, well welcome! Delighted to meet you. Have you met my nephew Wick yet? Anneke's brother?"

“I have not!” Zander answered brightly, smiling as he gestured vaguely. “Just this lot so far.”

“And the king!” Tasia piped up past a mouthful of berries.

“I already knew him,” Zander pointed out. “But yes, was delighted to see him as well. I’m excited to be here!”

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Ana grinned. Gaius went back to the counter, busying himself washing his hands in a bowl of water in preparation for the savory pies.

“I’m not sure I caught your name?”

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm Ana, Lady Anneke Loquitur's aunt." She dipped her head.

"A pleasure," Zander said with a smile. He guessed that's who she probably was from Ky's rapid-fire list earlier -- and he was quite good with names -- but he felt like he was missing people since she'd rambled so fast. He'd remember Ana now, though.

"But they're very busy," Sebaatian said gruffly. "And so am I. So bring back the bowl when you're done and be off with you!"
"Aww, Sebastian." Tomhas pouted, but he knew that the cook did get stressed on celebratory days. Feasts were no easy thing to craft.

Zander dipped his head, smirking slightly. Watching people telling off their superiors was something he'd never get sick of watching. Especially since it was working.